Kaiser Friedrich III Class Battleship

Kaiser Friedrich III Class. This class saw the introduction of the conventional pre-Dreadnought layout
that was retained for by the German Navy until the first Dreadnought class was launched although the forward turret
was mounted a deck higher than was normal in most other designs.

Comments:The 11 inch guns of the previous class were replaced by fewer 9.4 inch guns and a much heavier secondary armament.
The reduction in gun calibre was deemed acceptable as the smaller guns had a rate of fire approximately three times
higher than the larger weapons. Crew 641.

Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse. The class underwent modification between 1907-10 with taller funnels, a reduced
superstructure, one of the torpedo tubes being removed and repositioning of the 3.4 inch guns. Even so the
class were of little fighting value by World War 1 and were soon used for non combat duties, mainly as prison ships
for prisoners of war.